MELKSHAM OAK COMMUNITY SCHOOL

TEACHER OFEnglish

We are looking to appoint, for September 2016, dynamic, creative and highly aspirational teachers to join our dedicated and high-achieving English team. The successful applicants, whether NQT or experienced, will be able to look forward to high levels of support and opportunities for professional development, while contributing to our drive to becoming a great school - all in our £32m state-of-the-art buildings.

If successful you will be fortunate enough to work within a supportive and hardworking team who are committed to raising standards in English both within the department and across the school. The English department takesgreat pride in the provision of engaging, creative teachingto encourage learning. We placea greatonus on thoughtful and collaborative lesson planning to ensure careful differentiation and improved outcomes to provide lessons which appeal and accommodate a wide range of learning styles and ability.

The Environment and Resources

Melksham Oak Community School is situated on a new Pathfinder campus where every Department is encouraged to consider how technology can be utilised to support students’ learning. English is taught in specifically designated classroomsall of which are well equipped with whiteboards, interactive smart boards and data projectors.

There are also excellent Libraryfacilities, housed within our Discovery Centre,wherein English Key Stage 3literacy and Accelerated Reader initiative are practiced.In addition, the Department has access to the five I.C.T. rooms, as well as having the ability to convert classrooms into ICT ready areas because of a Departmentdesignated laptop trolley.

The Curriculum

All English pupils are taught in mixed ability groups from Year 7. However, Year 7 transition pupils with the greatest literacy needs are taught in nurture classes via the Learning Support department.In Year 7 and 8 students are timetable with six lessons a fortnight - two of which are specifically allocated as literacy lessons. In Year 9 pupils are currently undertaking a new program of study in classes, set by ability, to build the language and literature skills required of the new AQA English GCSE syllabus in six lessons a fortnight.

All of the Schemes of Work for Key Stage 3 English encompass opportunities to follow the National Literacy Strategies. The department has a fully integrated APP policy where everypupil has a KS3 coursework folderto ensure that their progress is monitoredand celebrated.

Example Program of Study: KEY STAGE 3

KS3 / Term 1 / Term 2 / Term 3 / Term 4 / Term 5 / Term 6
7 / Gothic Fiction
Writing / Non-fiction
Reading / The Tempest
S & L / Poetry
Reading / Writing / ‘Coraline’Reading / Creative writing
Writing
Literacy / Literacy / Literacy / Literacy / Literacy / Literacy
8 / Non-fiction
Writing / Gothic Fiction
Reading /writing / Creative Writing
Writing / Poetry
Reading / Extract and reading analysis
Reading/writing / Design a Chocolate Box
Reading/writing
& S&L
Literacy / Literacy / Literacy / Literacy / Literacy / Literacy
KS3 / Term 1 / Term 2 / Term 3 / Term 4 / Term 5 / Term 6
Yr. 9 / Descriptive Writing
Writing / ‘Romeo and Juliet’
Reading
and writing / ‘Of Mice and Men’
Reading / Creating an Island
Plus Presentation
S&L / Performance poetry Literary Heritage
Reading and writing / Extract analysis
Reading

At Key Stage 4 Year 10 and 11 cohortsfollow the new AQA English Language and English Literature Specification. Year 10 students will conduct their filmed speaking and listening assignment for GCSE submission. All KS4 students will take the double route examination. Therange of classes at KS4 reflects the pattern in place for Years 8 and 9.Mixed ability classes are a focal point of the department’s efforts to maintain high standards of expectation and encourage aspiration while aiming for four levels of progress in every student’s career. Year 7 through to Year 9 although students are generally within 2 band levels of one another so as to ensure confidence, progression and a supportive learning environment. Units of work are shaped to ensure a well stocked electronic S.O.W and resourcesin conjunction with teacher differentiated material and lessons to support the study of both GCSEs.

In addition, the English Department offers three courses at Key Stage 5. These are the AQA A/S and A2 courses in English Literature; the AQA A/S and A2 course in English Language, and the WJEC A/S and A2 course in Media Studies. All three are successful and hugely popular.The emphasis in the design, delivery and success of the courses is on the partnership and the pooling of ideas, with a team of between two and four teachers working together to design and maintain the Schemes of Work, and then in pairs to deliver the course to the teaching groups in each year. Generally, as a rule, each pair will see the students through both Year 12 and 13 if possible for continuity.

Teaching and Learning

The Department has a reputation for active learning and teaching styles, team working and innovative curriculum planning.Traditionally, there have been strong links between English and Drama and there continues to be close liaison with all departments in relation to the separate literacy lessons; to focus on a range of cross curricular topics for whole school literacy impact.Furthermore, inYear 9, Drama lessons provide invaluable enrichment for the teaching of Shakespeare and poetry across the ability range. There is also close liaison with the Learning Support Team.

The English Departmentis open to a wide range of extra curricular opportunities for students, across all key stages.At KS3 and 4 these include a highly successfulparticipation in the Rotary Public Speaking Competition, a film club, a reading club; there have been theatre visits, ‘GCSE Poetry Live’ events and visiting productions of Shakespeare. As part of Key Stage 5 enrichment, we look to collaborate with the Drama department on theatre visits whenever possible.

We are seeking to appoint a superb classroom practitioner who will complement the existing team and further enhance our drive for excellence. Within the school there is a strong collective commitment to the development of Assessment for Learning practices, TEEP planning for lessons and the creation of independent learners. Most of all, we are seeking someone with a passion for English and the desire to make a difference to this potentially outstanding department.

Person Specification

Essential / Desirable
Qualifications / Qualified Teachers Status / Good, relevant honors degree.
Knowledge / Up to date knowledge of recent and future curriculum developments affecting English at national level.
Ability to teach across the age and ability range in KS3 and KS4 / Ability to teach KS5
Skills / Excellent and innovative classroom practitioner with good AFL practice. Excellent communication skills in speech and in writing.
Good interpersonal skills.
Ability to work in a team / Competent in the use of ICT with a broad range of ICT skills.
Personal qualities / Committed to the principles of comprehensive education; able to prioritise; efficient; organised; shows initiative; collaborative; resilient; a sense of humour. / A completer and finisher.
The ability to speak clearly and confidently to parents – in person and by telephone

Due to the nature of the position for which you are applying, and to ensure your suitability for this type of work, you will be required to apply for an enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service if you have been successful in your application. This application will be made before your appointment is confirmed. ATOM will apply on your behalf and pay the necessary fee. Having a criminal conviction will not automatically exclude you from employment, this will depend on the nature of the position and the circumstances and background of the offences committed.

1

2016

This School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people

and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment